Professor Christine Bigby has an established national and international reputation for her research on the social inclusion of adults with intellectual disability. The focus of her work is policy issues, program effectiveness and front line practice that supports quality of life outcomes for people with intellectual disability. Her current ARC and other grants are examining the effectiveness of supported accommodation services, the nature and meaning of social inclusion for people with intellectual disability, the history of self advocacy, and the capacity of disability and mainstream organisations to support active and healthy aging for people with a lifelong disability. She is a Fellow of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability and Chair of the IASSID Special Interest Group on Ageing and Intellectual Disability, a National Board member of ASID – Research to Practice, and Editor of Australian Social Work. She convenes an annual Round Table on Intellectual Disability Policy at LaTrobe. She has published 5 books and more than 50 peer reviewed journal articles.

NEW Publication. Final report of the evaluation of the closure of Kew Residential Services.

NEW Publication Proceedings of the 6th (2011) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy.

Research interests

Consumer participation

Disability

Healthy Ageing

Social policy

Teaching Units

Consulting

Recent Publications

Books

Bigby, C & Frawley (2010). Social work and intellectual disability: Working for change. London: Palgrave MacMillan - Flyer [PDF 259KB]

Clement, T. & Bigby, C. (2010). Group Homes for People with Intellectual Disabilities Encouraging Inclusion and Participation. London, Jessica Kingsley. - Flyer [PDF 366KB]

Bigby, C., Fyffe, C., Ozanne, E. (2007) Planning and support for people with intellectual disability. Issues for case managers and other practitioners. London: Jessica Kingsley

Bigby, C. (2004). Aging with a lifelong disability: Policy, program and practice issues for professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Bigby, C. (2000). Moving on without parents: Planning, transitions and sources of support for older adults with intellectual disabilities. New South Wales/ Baltimore: Mclennan+Petty/ P H Brookes.

Book Chapters

Bigby, C. ( 2012). Piecing together the experiences of older people with intellectual disability: Qualitative research ideas. In M. Leontowitsch, Researching later life and aging. London: Palgrave

Bigby, C. (2012). I hope he dies before me. Unravelling debates about aging with intellectual disability. In, Watson N, Roulstone A and Thomas C (eds). Routledge Companion to Disability Studies. London, Routledge

Bigby, C. (2010). Growing old: Adapting to change and maintaining a sense of belonging, continuity and purpose. In Grant, G., Richardson, M & Murphy, J. Learning Disability: A lifecycle approach to valuing people (445-458) Second Edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Bigby, C (2009). Intellectual Disability. In H Cleak (Ed). Assessment and reporting writing for human service professionals (pp. 85-98). Cengage: Melbourne.

Bowers, B., Bigby, C., Webber, R. (2009). Intellectual disability and ageing . In Nay, R & Garrat, S., Iinterdisciplinary care of older people: issues and innovation (pp. 60-77). Sydney: Elsevier

Swain, P., & Bigby, C. (2009). Social security and welfare rights. In P. Swain. In the shadow of the law (339-359). Sydney: Federation Press

Bigby, C. (2007). Case management with people with intellectual disability; Purpose, tensions, challenges. In, Bigby, C, Fyffe C & Ozanne, E. Planning and support for people with intellectual disability. Issues for case managers and other practitioners (pp. 29-47), London: Jessica Kingsley

Burgen, B & Bigby, C (2007). The importance of friendships for young people with intellectual disability In, Bigby, C, Fyffe C & Ozanne, E. Planning and support for people with intellectual disability. Issues for case managers and other practitioners (pp.208-214). London: Jessica Kingsley

Bigby, C. (2007). Issues of middle age and beyond for people with intellectual disability and their families. In, Bigby, C, Fyffe C & Ozanne, E. Planning and support for people with intellectual disability. Issues for case managers and other practitioner (pp.215-232). London: Jessica Kingsley

Bigby, C., Fyffe, C., Ozanne, E. (2007). Introduction: Contexts, structures and processes of case management. In, Bigby, C, Fyffe C & Ozanne, E. Planning and support for people with intellectual disability. Issues for case managers and other practitioners (pp.17-27). London: Jessica Kingsley

Bigby, C. (2007). Aging with an intellectual disability. In I. Brown & M. Percy (Eds.), A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 607-616). Baltimore: Brookes Publishing Company.

Bigby , C (2005). The impact of policy tensions and organizational demands on the process of moving out of an institution. In. K. Johnson & Rannveig Traustadóttir, In and out of institutions (117-129). London: Jessica Kingsley.

Bigby, C. (2005). Growing old: Adapting to change and maintaining a sense of belonging, continuity and purpose. In Grant, G., Richardson, M & Murphy, J. Learning Disability: A lifecycle approach to valuing people (663-684). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Refereed Journal Articles

Bigby, C., Frawley, P., Ramcharan, P. (in press) Conceptualising inclusive research with people with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability.

Bigby, C., Frawley, P., Ramcharan, P. (in press). A collaborative group a method of inclusive research: 'That’s how you get things done by working. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability

Mansell., J., Beadle-Brown, J., & Bigby, C. (in press) Implementation of active support in Victoria, Australia: an exploratory study. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Bigby, C., (in press). Social Inclusion and People with Challenging Behavior: A Systematic Review. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability.

Clement, T., & Bigby, C (in press). Ethical challenges in researching in group homes for people with severe learning difficulties: Shifting the balance of power. Disability and Society

Johnson, H., Douglas, J., Bigby, C., Iacono, T (in press). A model of processes that underpin positive relationships for adults with severe intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability

Bigby, C., Knox, M., Beadle-Brown, J., Clement, T., Mansell., J (in press) Uncovering dimensions of culture in underperforming group homes for people with severe intellectual disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2012). Competencies of frontline managers of supported accommodation services: Issues for practice and future research. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37, 131-140.

Carling-Jenkins, R., Torr, J., Iacono, T, Bigby, C. (2012) Supporting people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease in aged care and family environments. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability 37,1,1-23

Johnson, H., Douglas, J., Bigby, C., Iacono, T (2012) Social interaction with adults with severe intellectual disability: Having fun and hanging out. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 25,4, 329-341

Johnson, H., Douglas, J., Bigby, C., Iacono, T (2011) Creating meaningful theory: Learning through observing everyday interactions Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 27, 4, 267-278

Bigby, C., & Vizel, I (2011) Encounter as a dimension of social inclusion for people with intellectual disability: Beyond and between community presence and participation. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability 36, 4

Bigby, C., Wilson, N., Balandin, S., Stancliffe, R. (2011). Disconnected Expectations: Staff, family and supported employee perspectives about retirement. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability 36, 3, 167-174

Bigby, C., Bowers, B., & Webber, R. (2011). Planning and decision making about the future care of older group home residents and transition to residential aged care. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 55,8, 777-789 Frawley, P., & Bigby, C. (2011) Inclusion in political and public life: The experiences of people with intellectual disability on government disability advisory bodies in Australia. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36, 1, 27-38

Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2011). The development and utility of a program theory: Lessons from an evaluation of a reputed exemplary residential support service for adults with severe intellectual disability and challenging behaviour in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 24,6 554-565

Frawley, P., & Bigby, C. (2011) Inclusion in political and public life: The experiences of people with intellectual disability on government disability advisory bodies in Australia. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36, 1, 27-38

Wilson, N. J., Stancliffe, R. J., Bigby, C., Balandin, S., & Craig, D. (2010). The potential for active mentoring to support a positive transition into retirement for older adults with a lifelong disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability. 35, 3, 211-214

Webber, R., Bowers, B., Bigby, C. (2010). Hospital experiences of older people with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 35, 3, 155-164

Bigby, C., & Atkinson, D. (2010). Written out of history: Invisible women in intellectual disability social work. Australian Social Work, 63, 4-17

Bigby, C. (2010). A five country comparative review of accommodation support policies for older people with intellectual disability. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disability. 7, 3-15

Johhson, H., Douglas, J., Bigby, C., Iacono, T. (2010). The pearl in the middle. A case study of social interactions with an individual with a severe intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 35, 3, 175-186

Johnson, H; Douglas, J; Bigby, C; Iacono, T (2009). Maximising community inclusion through mainstream communication services for adults with severe disabilities. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 11, 80-90.

Bigby, C., & Knox, M. (2009) ‘I want to see the Queen’, The service experiences of older adults with intellectual disability. Australian Social Work 62, 2, 216-231

Bigby, C., Clement, T., Mansell, J., Beadle-Brown, J. (2009 ) ‘It’s pretty hard with our ones, they can’t talk, the more able bodied can participate’: Staff attitudes about the applicability of disability policies to people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 54, 4, 363-376

Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2009) Breaking out of a distinct social space: Reflections on supporting community participation for people with severe and profound intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disability, 22, 264-275

Bigby, C., & Fyffe, C. (2009) A position statement on housing and support for people with intellectual disability and high, complex or changing needs. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 34, 96-100

Buys., L., Boulton-Lewis, G., Tedman-Jones, J., Edwards, H., Knox, M., Bigby, C. (2008). Issues of active ageing: Perceptions of older people with lifelong intellectual disability. Australasian Journal of Ageing 27 (2) 67-71.

Bigby, C., Webber., R., McKenzie-Green, B., Bowes., B (2008). A survey of people with intellectual disabilities living in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 52, 404-414

Bigby, C. (2008). Known well by no one. Trends of the informal social networks of people with intellectual disability five years after moving to the community. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 33, (2) 148-157.

Bigby, C. (2008). Beset by obstacles: A review of Australian policy development to support aging in place for people with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 33 (1), 1-11.

Knox, M & Bigby, C. (2007). Moving towards midlife care as negotiated family business: Accounts of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education 54, 3

Bigby , C. (2007). The challenge of implementing state disability policy to achieve second generation rights for people with disabilities. Just Policy, 43, 68-75

Bigby, C., & Fyffe, C. (2006) Tensions between institutional closure and deinstitutionalization: What can be learned from Victoria’s institutional redevelopment. Disability and Society, 21, 6, 567 - 581

Bigby, C (2006). Shifting models of welfare: Issues in the relocation from an institution and the organisation of community living. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disability, 3, 147-154.

See CV for earlier publications

Resume

Older Publications

Government Reports

History of Kew Cottages interactive website

Proceedings of the 6th (2011) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy.

Bigby, C., & Fyffe, C (2012). Services and Families Working Together to Support Adults with Intellectual Disability.

Proceedings of the 5th (2010) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Report - Bigby, C., & Fyffe, C (2011). State Disability Policy for the Next Ten Years - What Should it Look Like? Proceedings of the Fifth Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Proceedings of the 4th (2009) Annual Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Report - More than Community Presence: Social Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disability. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Proceedings of the 3rd (2008) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Proceedings of the 2008 Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy - Achieving their own lives

Proceedings of the 2nd (2007) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Proceedings of the second annual Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Proceedings of the 1st (2006) Roundtable on Intellectual Disability Policy

Bigby, C., Fyffe, C., Mansell, J (2006). From ideology to reality: Current issues in implementation of intellectual disability policy, proceedings of the roundtable on intellectual disability policy held at the Institute for Advance Study, LaTrobe University, Bundoora.
Proceedings of the Second Annual roundtable on intellectual disability policy. (PDF 1.12MB)

Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2009). An evaluation of a reputed exemplary residential support service for people with severe intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. Office of the Senior Practitioner, Melbourne.

Report - Making life good: An evaluation of a reputed exemplary residential support service for people with intellectual disability and severe challenging behaviour. [PDF 1.85MB]

Reports from the Making Life Good Project

Clement, T., Bigby, C., & Johnson, J. (2007). Making life good in the community: The story so far. Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: Making Life Good in the Community: The Story so Far.
Bigby, C., Cooper, B., & Reid, K. (2011). Making life good in the community: Measures of resident outcomes and staff perceptions of the move from an institution. Melbourne: Department of Human Services:
Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2008). Making life good in the community: As good as it gets. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: As good as it gets.
Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2008). Building inclusive communities: Facilitating community participation for people with severe intellectual disabilities. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: Building inclusive communities: Facilitating community participation for people with severe intellectual disabilities
Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2008). Implementing a key working system in a group home for people with intellectual disabilities. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: Implementing a key working system in a group home for people with intellectual disabilities
Clement, T., & Bigby, C (2008). Implementing person-centred active support in a group home for people with profound intellectual disabilities: Issues for house supervisors and their managers. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: Implementing person-centred active support in a group home for people with profound intellectual disabilities: Issues for house supervisors and their managers
Robertson, A., Frawley, P & Bigby, C. (2008). When is a house a home. Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: When is a house a home.
Clement, T., & Bigby, C. (2007). Making life good in the community: The importance of practice leadership and the role of the house supervisor. Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Human Services. Download report: The importance of practice leadership and the role of the house supervisor.

Other Deinstitutionalisation studies

Bigby, C., Frederico, M., Cooper, B. (2007). Settled in the community: An evaluation of five years of community living for residents relocated from Kew Residential Services, 1999-2005. Melbourne: Department of Human Services.
Settled in the community: An evaluation of five years of community living for residents relocated from Kew Residential Services (PDF 442KB)
Bigby, C., Frederico., M., Cooper, B.(2004) Not just a residential move but creating a better lifestyle for people with intellectual disabilities: Report of the evaluation of Kew Residential Services Community Relocation Project 1999. Department of Human Services.

Reports on Aging and Life Long Disability

Fyffe, C., Bigby, C, McCubbery, J. (2007). Exploration of the population of people with disabilities who are ageing, their changing needs and the capacity of the disability and age care sector to support them to age positively. National Disability Administrators Group: Canberra
Webber, R., Bigby, C., McKenzie-Green, B., & Bowers, B. (2006). Mapping the terrain: Ageing people with lifelong intellectual disability living in residential aged care facilities in Victoria. Melbourne: Quality of Life and Social Justice Flagship, Australian Catholic University and La Trobe University.
Bigby, C., Fyffe, C., Balandin, S., Gordon. M., McCubbery, J.(2001) Day support services options for older adults with a disability. National Disability Administrators Group, Melbourne.
Ecumenical Housing & Bigby, C (2001) Accommodation options for older people with disabilities. Department of Human Services. Melbourne.
Bigby, C., Ozanne, E., Gordon, M. (1999). Facilitating transition: An evaluation of pilot case management programs for older carers of adults with intellectual disability. Eastern and Northern Metropolitan regions of the Department of Human Services Victoria.
Bigby, C. & Ozanne, E. (1999). Older carers of adults with intellectual disability, characteristics and service provision issues: A literature review. Eastern and Northern Metropolitan regions of the Department of Human Services Victoria.

Professor Christine Bigby

Qualifications

Membership of professional Associations

Area of study

Brief Profile